CELEBRATING ART – Secaucus Public Library director Jenifer May sits with fourth grader Saniya Tasnim and first grader Ayaan Mohammed during an art reception held on Jan. 4. Youth in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade who participated in the library’s annual Youth Art Month were invited to attend.

The Pulaski Skyway in Jersey City will be closed to New-York bound motorists for two years beginning in 2014 after Super Bowl XLVIII, according to a report by NBC 4 New York. The bridge serves as a major thoroughfare for drivers heading to Manhattan via the Holland Tunnel.

Unnamed sources were attributed as saying that the 80-year-old structure is, “massively used, massively worn out.” NBC 4 New York declined to name the sources.

A $1 billion restoration project, which could take several years overall, was to be announced Thursday in Newark. The project that affects New York-bound commuters will last about two years. According to the news report, two of the bridge's four lanes will be “redecked” at a time, but only outbound traffic will be allowed, no matter which lanes are under construction.

Hudson County executive Tom DeGise was quoted as saying the closure would present a "horrible, horrible predicament,” and that there are no good alternatives for work on a bridge that was built with the same truss construction as an interstate highway span that collapsed in Minnesota several years ago, killing several motorists.

Commuters will likely face challenges finding alternate routes.

The work will not begin until after the Super Bowl hubbub is over, since the game will be held nearby in the Meadowlands.

County court hosts free legal workshops for those affected by Sandy

This Superior Court of New Jersey’s Hudson County Vicinage on Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. is sponsoring a Court Night to offer free legal workshops on disaster relief for Hudson County residents affected by Hurricane Sandy. The event will be held in the rotunda of the Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Courthouse located at 583 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. The first session, “Navigating the System in the Midst of a Crisis,” will include sessions on FEMA and Insurance appeals, unemployment, domestic violence, workers compensation, landlord and tenant issues, and bankruptcy and foreclosure.

Individual sessions will be conducted by attorneys and court representatives who will be available to answer general questions that residents may have concerning each specific subject matter. Space is limited and a reservation is required. For more information or to reserve a space, contact: CariAnn Gingerelli at (201) 217-5109 or email hudson.reservation@judiciary.state.nj.us;

A second Court Night focused on Hurricane Sandy is scheduled for May 9.

Crafty Tween Events at the library

Tweens between the ages of 8 to 12 are invited to stop in to create their own Do It Yourself (D.I.Y.) crafts at the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center on Jan. 15 and Feb. 14 anytime between 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. On Jan. 15 tweens can create their own printed t-shirts using sandpaper. The t-shirt designs will be drawn by the tweens with sandpaper. Tweens participating in this craft are required to bring a white cotton t-shirt (long or short). Then on Feb. 14 the library tween can create Valentine’s roses with duct-tape. For additional information, visit http://secaucus.bccls.org or e-mail Lanora Melillo at SPLYouths@gmail.com.

Library hosts youth book clubs

The Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center will continue its book clubs for youth starting in February. Interested children are welcome to register at the library. Youth in fourth and fifth grades and mid-level grades can pick up their book after Jan. 18 with their library card. The book clubs are for kids in grades 2 to 3, 4 to 5, and 6 to 8.

The second and third grade book club, “Book Worms,” will begin on Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. followed by the fourth and fifth grade book club, “Book Buddies,” at 7 p.m.

Youth in sixth through eighth grade are welcome to join the Mid-Grade book club that meets Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. All book clubs will meet monthly through May.

Children who are interested in participating in any of the book clubs can register online at: Secaucus.bccls.org or email SPLYouths@gmail.com. Children participating in “Book Worms” will be required to read a book of their choice, while children in “Book Buddies” and “Mid-Grade” will read titles voted on as a whole or selected by the librarian. Book Buddies will be reading “Rules” by Cynthia Lord and Mid-Grade will be reading “Take me to the River” by Will Hobbs.

Ladies’ Auxiliary breakfast fundraiser scheduled

The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Secaucus Exempt Firemen’s Association is hosting a Breakfast Fundraiser at Washington Hook and Ladder Firehouse on County Avenue from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10. The funds raised will support retired firemen in the Boonton Home and the organization’s social endeavors. The firefighters from Washington Hook and Ladder do all the cooking. Donations will be accepted such as eggs, pancake mix, Taylor Ham, breakfast sausage, bacon, home fries, bread, butter, milk, cake, cookies, milk, tea, juice, paper goods, etc. To donate items to offset the cost of the breakfast, contact Ex-Chief Raymond Cieciuch at (201) 376-6819. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for children and seniors. To purchase tickets, contact President Jane Olsen at (201) 330-9147.

Library offers free crocheting instruction

The Secaucus Public Library offers free crocheting instruction classes for adult beginners that start in January. The classes will be taught by Mary Ellen Aluotto, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on six consecutive Thursdays beginning Jan. 24. Individuals attending the class must bring a crocheting needle and yarn for instruction. Aluotto also facilitates the “Needlework Round Table” that meets at 6:30 p.m. at the library on the second Tuesday of each month.

“In contrast to the crocheting classes, The Needlework Round Table is not an instructional workshop,” said Aluotto. “At the Round Table, anyone working on a project in knitting, crocheting, embroidering, quilting, needlepoint, or any other handwork, is invited to attend and share their projects, ideas and just good conversation. I welcome newcomers.” Registration is required. To register, call (201) 330-2083.

Osprey Cove secures LEED silver certification

Osprey Cove, Hartz Mountain’s luxury residential building at 45 Meadowlands Parkway in Secaucus, just received its LEED Silver certification according to a press statement.

The 116-unit development is the latest project in a long list of eco-friendly initiatives that also includes rooftop solar paneling on 13 buildings in Secaucus, and a solar ground array in Hamilton. Osprey Cove is the result of the developer’s efforts to complement the shore of the 13,000 acre Meadowlands estuary preserve to the building by using recycled materials where possible, and featuring an on-site recycling program, motion sensors on all lighting in common hallways and elevators, and energy-efficient appliances in all units.

The ecological recovery of the surrounding Meadowlands was spearheaded by Hartz Mountain Industries, and includes the newly renovated Snipes Park located adjacent to the building, and the waterfront at Laurel Hill Park where residents can enjoy pontoon boat tours and kayaking. Since Hartz began welcoming residents in June 2012, the nine studio, 50 one-bedroom, 50 two-bedroom and seven two bedroom with den apartments, have been rented. Each unit is outfitted with bamboo floors, upgraded stainless steel appliances and special finishes in the kitchens and bathrooms, as well as nine-foot ceilings on the first three floors and 14-foot ceilings on the fourth floor.

PF&G lawyers offer free seminar

The lawyers of Plata Ferrer & Gutierrez LLC are offering a free seminar series on estate planning beginning Thursday, Jan. 17, at Palisades Medical Center at 6:30 p.m. Seminars will focus on estate planning and asset protection planning. The series is structured to educate and bring awareness to the importance of having a proper estate plan in place. Estate plans allow people to name beneficiaries, appoint guardians for minors, plan for those with special needs and much more. The lawyers of PF&G will provide an overview of the federal and state tax systems as well as address planning for incapacity.

High Tech High School’s National Honor Society sponsored a book drive recently to benefit the nonprofit youth outreach center Covenant House’s Crisis Care in formerly flood-stricken Atlantic City, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, director of High Tech.

“Hurricane Sandy left a great path of destruction in its wake,” said Joan Marie Bellotti, department liaison for High Tech’s Language Arts Department and co-facilitator of the NHS. “Covenant House lost vital educational materials as a result of Sandy.”

The NHS solicited donations of various standardized test review books, biology textbooks, lab manuals, writing aids, and novels from staff and students to replenish the bookshelves at Covenant House in Atlantic City. In all, those donations filled 12 cartons.

David Polito, veteran social studies instructor and co-facilitator of the NHS, kindly took the time to drive down to Atlantic City. He personally handed over the cartons of donated books to the Crisis Care division of Covenant House.

In 1989, the nonprofit Covenant House began its outreach programs in the Garden State, providing basic necessities to homeless youth on the streets of Newark and Atlantic City. Since then, Covenant House has added more services and improved upon the quality of those services with expanded outreach programs in Paterson and Cumberland County. Covenant House has also formed partnerships with schools, organizations, and other agencies to serve all youth in need in New Jersey.

High Tech is a countywide high school based in North Bergen.

Shire 2013 ADHD Scholarship

The Shire ADHD Scholarship includes a $2,000 monetary award and offers a prepaid year of ADHD coaching services. The ADHD coaching services are provided by the Edge Foundation and are intended to assist the scholarship recipient with the transition to higher education. Fifty one-time scholarships will awarded in June 2013. The deadline to apply is March 27.

For information on eligibility requirements, the scholarship application process, and more, visit www.shireadhdscholarship.com.